As part of the purchase, the company will become a Sunoco distributor.

"These sites are a great addition to our current network of locations," John Kelly, vice president of operations for Mountain Empire, told the paper. "Additionally, I am pleased to announce that we will become a Sunoco distributor. We will begin operations of these sites the week of May 4."

The sale includes stations in Morristown, Rogersville, Kingsport, Colonial Heights, Gray, Johnson City, Jonesborough and Elizabethton, according to the report.